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A scenic landscape of lush green mountains and lakes in the Emerald Isle of Ireland under a dramatic, cloudy sky.
Ireland

The Best of Ireland: A Week on the Emerald Isle

Program No. 22088RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
9 days
8 nights
What's Included
6 meals ( 2B, 2L, 2D )
4 expert-led field trips
2 performances
An experienced Group Leader
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 190 miles, approximately 4.5 hours. Walking approximately 1.5 miles, periods of standing; paved streets, gravel paths.
Morning:
Once checked out of the hotel, we’ll begin our journey via motorcoach to Dublin, via Waterford. While here, we'll visit the House of Waterford Crystal to see the traditional artisan skills of mouth blowing, hand finishing, sculpting, and engraving, which results in the incredible crystal glass pieces. Following the visit, we'll walk the short distance to the Waterford Treasures Museum, a complex comprised of a medieval stone tower, a Georgian bishop’s palace and a modern purpose-built museum building.
Lunch:
At a local Restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll explore the Waterford Treasures Museum with a local expert who will explain highlights of the collections. The museum’s exhibitions present artifacts from more than a thousand years of Waterford’s history, from the Viking age to the 1970s. After completing our transfer by motorcoach, we will check into the hotel with some time to unpack and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
In the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 5 miles, approximately 1 hour. Walking approximately 3 miles, periods of standing; paved streets, some cobbled areas, gravel paths.
Breakfast:
In the hotel.
Morning:
We will walk down the bustling and historic heart of Dublin - O’ Connell Street - and cross the River Liffey to Trinity College, sometimes referred to as the University of Dublin, which dates back to 1592 and is one of the seven ancient universities of Britain and Ireland. While here, we will learn in detail about the history and art of this monumental institution as we are led through its beautiful grounds by a student of the university. It is also home to the Book of Kells, one of the finest examples of illuminated manuscript in the world. The artistry and attention to detail in its spellbinding calligraphy and illuminations truly is a sight to behold. The book, dating back to 800 C.E., is considered Ireland’s finest national treasure. We’ll have some time to explore the Book of Kells exhibition independently at the end of our field trip. We will continue by motorcoach to the National Museum of Ireland, which hosts a collection of four million objects from all over the world — with a specific focus on the history of Ireland. Our Group Leader will provide an introduction, followed by time for independent exploration.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time. This block of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking approximately 1 mile during group activities; paved streets. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the hotel.
Afternoon:
We’ll have some more free time for independent exploration in Dublin and the surrounding area.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant in Dublin, we’ll enjoy a meal featuring traditional Irish food while accompanied by a performance by local musicians. We’ll spend our last evening enjoying music and song as we bid farewell to Ireland and our newfound friends.
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